Why Transit?

Transit keeps cities moving at the lowest possible cost. Without transit, we would need to build more roads than taxpayers or the environment could support. Furthermore, traffic congestion is expensive for our economy.

Now, more than ever, we need to take a look at environmental concerns like harmful emissions being sent into our atmosphere and their impact on the "greenhouse effect" and global warming. International studies have found that cities with strong transit systems required significantly lower total public and private spending on transportation and were able to divert saved money to other public priorities, such as health care, education and tax cuts,

The Environmental Case for Public Transit

Cities compete globally for investment. Quality of life is one of the top factors considered by companies when deciding where to locate. By providing access and mobility to workers, reducing congestion and improving air quality, we can help our cities compete for economic growth.

Strong transit is vital to "smart growth" strategies that help our cities reduce the cost and undesirable impacts of urban sprawl. Transit reduces the amount of green space that must be paved over for new roads and parking lots. It also makes cities cleaner, quieter, safer and more convenient for getting around.

A study commissioned by the federal government shows it would cost Canadians 50 percent more to meet new travel demands by car than it would by public transit. These social costs reflect the impact of growing passenger travel on congestion, road safety and the environment.

We've all seen it: hundreds of vehicles scrambling to get somewhere during rush hour, with one person in each. Yet most people living in an urban centre know that something must be done to protect our environment, which is becoming increasingly fragile. Consider a "green" alternative: public transit. Transit Windsor is committed to the design and implementation of a convenient, cost-effective public transportation system that can easily be worked into our daily lives.

"(Transit) is a green investment that also helps you ease urban commutes. Let's get it done."- The late Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, FCM Annual conference in Toronto, 2010,

"Excellent public transit and efficient housing in high-density nodes along existing transit corridors will make cities livable and people-friendly. The federal government must take the lead in funding the 'greening' of Canada's cities." - Green Party of Canada, Vision Green, 2010